Panasonic GX8 vs Nikon Z6

Cameras
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Panasonic GX8 vs Nikon Z6

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z6 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z6 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z6.
Compare Nikon Z6 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z6 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9
Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Nikon Z6

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Nikon Z6

Less expensive
$998* vs $1899
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z6 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Z6 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

3,299 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Z6 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

14.3 vs 12.6 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
5 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
24.5 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 8.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 7.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z6 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon Z6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm lens and FTZ adapter

Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 Review

Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.
Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).
Read our Nikon Z6 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Nikon Z6

Olympus E-M1

$1797
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II

$998
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Nikon Z6

Olympus E-M5 II

$1797
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$1324
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon Z6

Olympus E-M1 II

$1797
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1324
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Sony A7 III

Panasonic GX8

Sony A7 III

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1665
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$1665
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Canon EOS R

Panasonic GX8

Canon EOS R

$998
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1583
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R

Compare Other Cameras?